Club donates pet oxygen masks to rescue agencies

Published: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 8:22 p.m.

Things have changed over the last 20 years when it comes to fire response. When firefighters answer a call, it's not always about humans trapped inside burning homes. It's also about their four-legged friends.

With that in mind, the Hendersonville Kennel Club donated 12 Pet Oxygen Recovery Masks to local fire departments.

“We talked about things we needed to do to connect to the community,” club President Judith Smith said.

The new masks are upgrades to what most of the departments already have, Edneyville Fire and Rescue's Deputy Fire Chief Robert Griffin said.

“We only had one size,” he said.

The new masks come in small, medium and large, depending on the size of the dog or cat that needs oxygen therapy.

Before the animal-friendly oxygen masks came along, firefighters would wave an oxygen tube in front of animals' noses, Fire Marshal Wally Hollis said. The advancement in that technology has come a long way.

“These are way more effective,” he added.

The recovery masks retail at $79.95, but the club got a bulk discount. The masks were also donated to the Valley Hill, Gerton, Bat Cave, Green River, Hendersonville, Etowah, Mills River, Mountain Home and Dana fire departments, the Henderson County Sheriff's Office and the Henderson County Rescue Squad.

There's not much of a difference between people and dogs when it comes to smoke inhalation, Griffin said, adding, “It'll affect their bodies the same way.”

Dogs will get the same type of treatment humans get with oxygen, and that warms the hearts of Kennel Club members. They're just glad that they've helped a cause that is near and dear to their hearts, Smith said.

“We're thrilled with a more to come,” she added.

For more information on the club, visit facebook.com/hendersonvillekennelclubinc.

<p>Things have changed over the last 20 years when it comes to fire response. When firefighters answer a call, it's not always about humans trapped inside burning homes. It's also about their four-legged friends. </p><p>With that in mind, the Hendersonville Kennel Club donated 12 Pet Oxygen Recovery Masks to local fire departments. </p><p>“We talked about things we needed to do to connect to the community,” club President Judith Smith said.</p><p>The new masks are upgrades to what most of the departments already have, Edneyville Fire and Rescue's Deputy Fire Chief Robert Griffin said. </p><p>“We only had one size,” he said.</p><p>The new masks come in small, medium and large, depending on the size of the dog or cat that needs oxygen therapy. </p><p>Before the animal-friendly oxygen masks came along, firefighters would wave an oxygen tube in front of animals' noses, Fire Marshal Wally Hollis said. The advancement in that technology has come a long way.</p><p>“These are way more effective,” he added. </p><p>The recovery masks retail at $79.95, but the club got a bulk discount. The masks were also donated to the Valley Hill, Gerton, Bat Cave, Green River, Hendersonville, Etowah, Mills River, Mountain Home and Dana fire departments, the Henderson County Sheriff's Office and the Henderson County Rescue Squad. </p><p>There's not much of a difference between people and dogs when it comes to smoke inhalation, Griffin said, adding, “It'll affect their bodies the same way.”</p><p>Dogs will get the same type of treatment humans get with oxygen, and that warms the hearts of Kennel Club members. They're just glad that they've helped a cause that is near and dear to their hearts, Smith said. </p><p>“We're thrilled with a more to come,” she added. </p><p>For more information on the club, visit facebook.com/hendersonvillekennelclubinc.</p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>